Exertional Headaches

Flex500 · 08-29-2005, 06:39 AM

Ok there have been 3,464,564,645,615,364,654,654,165,476,543,562,416, 354,635 threads recently about headaches while lifting recently and this is something I do know quite a bit about so here it goes.....

When you experience severe headaches when lifting, usually around the back of the neck and around the back of the head they are called EXERTIONAL HEADACHES. Often when people post threads asking about this they say "during my hardest set" or "during the heaviest set" they get the headache. It most often happens during bench press, and leg press.

These are caused from a huge spike in blood pressure due to a pressure build up. It means you are NOT breathing enough. Breathing every rep? Well that might not be enough for that particular exercise. If you think you are breathing enough, well you are simply not. It's like the valsava maneuver. For the valsava maneuver shut all your holes (a*shole, mouth, nose, EVERYTHING) and push as hard as you can (like your trying to push a dumptruck out your butt) Feel that pressure build up? That is the valsava maneuver. That is also the same kind of deal that is causing those headaches during lifting.

On a personal note I used to get them. And I mean very very bad during heavy leg press. To fix it I have to hold the weight extended after 5 reps or so and take 3 or 4 huge long breaths. For me breathing with every rep is NOT enough for leg press.

Now on a side note for a very very very very very very small amount of people these headaches are a sign of something serious, and I mean deadly serious. Don't want to scare you but if your getting these a lot look for other signs and see a doctor. Usually they are begnign though.

Let me know if you guys would like more info I do have some expertise on this subject!

http://www.headaches.org/consumer/to...xertional.html

http://physician-assistant.advancewe...l.aspx?CC=2855

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/e/exer...ches/intro.htm

Flex500 · 08-29-2005, 10:01 AM

bump

**_Dominik_** · 08-29-2005, 10:08 AM

I read through it and think anyone new to training should read it. I'm stating the obvious but learning how to breathe properly when you're lifting weights is of critical importance and isn't discussed enough. It's just one of those things some people don't think about or practice and it can cause problems down the track when you crank up the poundages.

I remember experiencing something like that a couple of years ago doing military press with what was a lot of weight for me at the time, where I suddenly felt really ill, and it came on quickly, a bad headache that started to make me feel really strange. I took it easy for the rest of the workout, it passed, and I haven't had a problem since. I suspect it was breathing related just like you described.

Flex500 · 08-29-2005, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Dominik_

I read through it and think anyone new to training should read it. I'm stating the obvious but learning how to breathe properly when you're lifting weights is of critical importance and isn't discussed enough. It's just one of those things some people don't think about or practice and it can cause problems down the track when you crank up the poundages.

I remember experiencing something like that a couple of years ago doing military press with what was a lot of weight for me at the time, where I suddenly felt really ill, and it came on quickly, a bad headache that started to make me feel really strange. I took it easy for the rest of the workout, it passed, and I haven't had a problem since. I suspect it was breathing related just like you described.

yeah it happened to me all the time when I would do heavy leg press, and they got worse and worse and worse, to the point they would last 3-4 days. That is when I went to the doctor to make sure nothing was wrong. I just noticed a lot of new threads asking about headaches so I thought this would be good. I know it really used to freak me out when it happened.

$AJ · 08-29-2005, 11:29 AM

lump

Flex500 · 08-29-2005, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by $AJ

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pump

lacyjayne · 08-29-2005, 08:47 PM

Hope you hardcore jocks don't mind some input from a buff chick....

I was "diagnosed" with exertional headaches last year. Always occured during my first set. It was a royal pain in the ass because I had to stop and lay down until it went away (Not cause I'm a pussy but because they really friggin' hurt! Probably knock you on your ass, too!). I tried taking pain killers before my workout and I tried focusing on my breathing. Didn't work. I found the perfect solution.... a hard core warmup. I would run HARD for 5 minutes and never got them again.
]
Had to give my 2 cents....

$AJ · 08-29-2005, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flex500

pump

xump

VooDoo_Turtle · 08-29-2005, 08:58 PM

Well I did happen to get my first a couple weeks ago while doing leg press. But I left the gym and it didn't happen again until my next back day. Also when I was doing the leg press I wasnt going to heavy, I was going for 10-12 reps, and on back day, I was going for about 8 reps. So I went to a chiropractor and he told me it was caused by a pinched nerve. So he fixed me up, and told me to take the rest of the week off and go back on monday. I took the time to come up with a new routine, and did legs today. Well what do you know, he had told me, "Nothing behind the back." Well my dumbass didn't ask him what specific exercises I should avoid, and for how long. So I went in and started up my squats. But on the lightest set, the very first warm-up I felt a slight pain in the back of my head. So I remembered about, "Nothing behind the back" and decided to finish my warmups on the hack squat machine and then move on to leg press. So I rested for my next set which was on the hack squat, I put a 45 on every side and did 8 easy reps. I racked the weight and got the same pain. But I wasnt about to go home, so I sat down adn waited for it to dull down, and just did leg extensions, let curls, and seated calf raises, and everything was all good.

So for some people it could be caused by a pinched nerve, and when my chiropractor tells me that a certain bone in my neck is out of alignment, in turn pinching a certain nerve... I believe him... lol.

Flex500 · 08-30-2005, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VooDoo_Turtle

Well I did happen to get my first a couple weeks ago while doing leg press. But I left the gym and it didn't happen again until my next back day. Also when I was doing the leg press I wasnt going to heavy, I was going for 10-12 reps, and on back day, I was going for about 8 reps. So I went to a chiropractor and he told me it was caused by a pinched nerve. So he fixed me up, and told me to take the rest of the week off and go back on monday. I took the time to come up with a new routine, and did legs today. Well what do you know, he had told me, "Nothing behind the back." Well my dumbass didn't ask him what specific exercises I should avoid, and for how long. So I went in and started up my squats. But on the lightest set, the very first warm-up I felt a slight pain in the back of my head. So I remembered about, "Nothing behind the back" and decided to finish my warmups on the hack squat machine and then move on to leg press. So I rested for my next set which was on the hack squat, I put a 45 on every side and did 8 easy reps. I racked the weight and got the same pain. But I wasnt about to go home, so I sat down adn waited for it to dull down, and just did leg extensions, let curls, and seated calf raises, and everything was all good.

So for some people it could be caused by a pinched nerve, and when my chiropractor tells me that a certain bone in my neck is out of alignment, in turn pinching a certain nerve... I believe him... lol.

yup your right on man, there are also a few other things that can cause them too. I just wanted to bring up the breathing because that is the most common cause. If breathing doesn't fix the problem people should see a doc, like you did.

Flex500 · 08-30-2005, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lacyjayne

Hope you hardcore jocks don't mind some input from a buff chick....

I was "diagnosed" with exertional headaches last year. Always occured during my first set. It was a royal pain in the ass because I had to stop and lay down until it went away (Not cause I'm a pussy but because they really friggin' hurt! Probably knock you on your ass, too!). I tried taking pain killers before my workout and I tried focusing on my breathing. Didn't work. I found the perfect solution.... a hard core warmup. I would run HARD for 5 minutes and never got them again.

It's great to have a girl around!!!! Trust me your probably more dedicated and hardcore than a lot of guys here! Thanks for the input and good points.

reet_jeet · 10-05-2006, 08:27 PM

First time I got these (exertional headaches), I was doing pull ups, and it was toward the end of my workout, where I had already worked other muscles. I was working toward my last few reps on the set, and it hit. Then I stopped for a few minutes until the pounding of the headache wore off, and then continued for more, and it hit again. After that I rested for a day before working out again. The second time I got it (2 days after), I got it as soon as I did my first exercise (bicep curls. I usually don't start with bicep curls, but I tried it just to see if I would get the headaches again). So after that, I rested for a whole week before doing weights again. (this is after i read the forum, and focused on breathing, etc.). Yesterday I went in and did it after a week of inactivity, and I did the first set of bicep curls fine. It was a warm up set with lower weights, and then I upped the weights to my usual, and as soon as I'm working my 7th or 8th rep of that set, the exertional headache hit again. This time though, the throbbing headache after the initial pounding lasted overnight. I still feel it as I'm typing this now.

Next time, in maybe 2 weeks, I'll attempt to lift weights again, but I'll start off with heavy cardio first. I read on here that doing that worked for someone. In the mean time though, as soon as the headache wears off, I'm going to try and build up my cardiovascular system by doing a lot of cardio. Hopefully it will help. This really sucks though, and I don't know any other method to stop getting these headaches. It happened all of a sudden a week ago after 4 months of lifting, and every time after the first, it started to hit on the first few exercises. Is there another way you guys can recommend to stop this? My last workout, after a week of inactivity, I really focused on breathing. I made sure I was exhaling, maybe it wasn't enough?

baboyako · 10-05-2006, 09:17 PM

I had that too for a week. what i did: cardio warmup 10 min, drink lots of water before/during/after workout, breathe properly. tried pills but they don't work

BroncManiac · 10-06-2006, 07:39 AM

I experienced my first one about 5 months ago. I was doing squats for the first time in over 10 years, and on my last set, I felt this intense headache in the lower back of my head. For the next week after that, any time I worked out (mostly bench press), I got the same headaches. Got checked out by a doctor (MRI, CT scan, etc), but everything was normal, thankfully. Laid off squats for 5 months and haven't had them since. Tried squats again the other day, and felt a very, very slight pain, but nothing serious. Then I noticed that when I massaged the back side of my neck, I could sort of reproduce the pain. I'm probably just tensing my neck too much when squatting, resulting in the headache. Have to learn to not tense the neck muscles so much. Never got them from doing heavy leg presses, just squats.

distinct · 10-06-2006, 09:00 AM

I get them in my temples almost like a tension/sinus headache, and a deep inner ear pressure that's very disconcerting. I usually only get it on extended, super-hard efforts. Last one I got was while on a 60 mile bike ride going up this retarded grade hill and I thought my head was going to explode. Went to the ER the next day b/c I had severe vertigo that lasted over 30 hrs. Really sucked.

My blood pressure rocks too. Mysterious!

Flex500 · 10-06-2006, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reet_jeet

First time I got these (exertional headaches), I was doing pull ups, and it was toward the end of my workout, where I had already worked other muscles. I was working toward my last few reps on the set, and it hit. Then I stopped for a few minutes until the pounding of the headache wore off, and then continued for more, and it hit again. After that I rested for a day before working out again. The second time I got it (2 days after), I got it as soon as I did my first exercise (bicep curls. I usually don't start with bicep curls, but I tried it just to see if I would get the headaches again). So after that, I rested for a whole week before doing weights again. (this is after i read the forum, and focused on breathing, etc.). Yesterday I went in and did it after a week of inactivity, and I did the first set of bicep curls fine. It was a warm up set with lower weights, and then I upped the weights to my usual, and as soon as I'm working my 7th or 8th rep of that set, the exertional headache hit again. This time though, the throbbing headache after the initial pounding lasted overnight. I still feel it as I'm typing this now.

Next time, in maybe 2 weeks, I'll attempt to lift weights again, but I'll start off with heavy cardio first. I read on here that doing that worked for someone. In the mean time though, as soon as the headache wears off, I'm going to try and build up my cardiovascular system by doing a lot of cardio. Hopefully it will help. This really sucks though, and I don't know any other method to stop getting these headaches. It happened all of a sudden a week ago after 4 months of lifting, and every time after the first, it started to hit on the first few exercises. Is there another way you guys can recommend to stop this? My last workout, after a week of inactivity, I really focused on breathing. I made sure I was exhaling, maybe it wasn't enough?

honestly it is usually breathing. I remember my doc told me "you have to breathe more" and I said "I am alread" and he said "uhh no your just not, plain and simple if your getting these your NOT breathing enough."

I always got them on leg press so now I take a huge breath in as the weight comes down and blow it out as I extend my legs. Every 4 or 5 reps I take 2 or 3 big breaths and then continue.

many lifters, especially new lifters don't breathe right or enough. When you hold your breath, even for a second these can happen.

Also, you have to let them fully subside or they will come back worse and worse each time.

and if they won't go away at all, get to a doc to make sure it is nothing serious.

legends159 · 10-06-2006, 09:50 PM

I used to get them from doing bench press machines. When i switched over to free weights the problems has never occured, but I understand how much pain those caused during and especially after workouts.

Stretching the back of my neck did help me somewhat.

Zac Robinson · 10-07-2006, 04:39 AM

How bout this? I only get them after really intense cardio, and when I say after, I mean 1 to 3 hours after. Usually it is when I really push myself and get pretty heated, I feel fine for a while then all of the sudden I get a pain in the back of my neck that grows in intensity. Sometimes it starts when I lay down or try to sit and relax after training. It usually takes a couple of hours to go away and sometimes I have to take a nap to get it to go away. Also, I have been doing more cardio (both running and dragging my sled) and I haven't had them near as bad over the last couple of weeks (maybe I'm getting into better shape)? I drink a ton of water and try to pre-cool myself prior to running when it is kind of hot (this seems to help a little). Any thoughts?

reet_jeet · 10-07-2006, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flex500

honestly it is usually breathing. I remember my doc told me "you have to breathe more" and I said "I am alread" and he said "uhh no your just not, plain and simple if your getting these your NOT breathing enough."

I always got them on leg press so now I take a huge breath in as the weight comes down and blow it out as I extend my legs. Every 4 or 5 reps I take 2 or 3 big breaths and then continue.

many lifters, especially new lifters don't breathe right or enough. When you hold your breath, even for a second these can happen.

Also, you have to let them fully subside or they will come back worse and worse each time.

and if they won't go away at all, get to a doc to make sure it is nothing serious.

How do you know when they fully subside? It sucks because I was working out almost every day for 4 months and all of a sudden one day it hits me. Even when I jerk off I can feel the vein in the back of my head starting to throb now. I'm just worried that it will always happen now. It would totally suck if my friend is hanging off a cliff and I'm over exerting trying to pull him up and I get this. Or what would suck more is if I get this every time during sex from now on. When you say fully subside, do you mean, when you don't feel any trace of it left? I mean, you can't be sure whether you will get it or not, unless you work out and see for yourself right?

reet_jeet · 10-09-2006, 06:14 PM

bump

reet_jeet · 10-18-2006, 09:27 PM

bumping

Maximus_Stats · 12-17-2006, 09:24 PM

thanks for this thread, its starting to piss me off. My headache i got from leg press is lasting a whole ****ing week, and its still midly here. ****

aslan · 03-05-2007, 02:48 PM

okay.. my experience with exertional headaches

last four four weeks before i took a break from bodybuilding, i tried working out with the headache because i didnt want to stop gaining, or cut short on my schedule of supps (xfactor and others), but eventually i had enough of it, because that headache literally tore me down every single workout.

after a three week break, and after trying the big lifts today, the headache's finally gone (feels great being able to do the last few sets of an exercise again without my mind being on some f'n headache).

once you get the exertional headache, breathing properly will not do **** for you. As many people say it, trying to breathe properly the next time you workout will not do **** for you, besides prolong the headache from coming about 2 reps later. you need the break.

on that break:
no sex for at least a week (nothing manual either). the exertional headache comes up when you're about to climax, so you need to take a break from that along with working out. i only lasted a week without it; the week after my girlfriend and i got back to it, and i wasnt feeling any headaches from then on..

no pushups or sprints, or anything else like them; for me, even when i tried those the headache started to come.

no supps (you'd be wasting it anyway without lifting)

eat good and try jogging. get your body in endurable condition during that break. i think jogging every day during my break made a huge difference for me.

then when you get back to the gym in 2-3 weeks, just get back to training like normal. some people say raise your weights progressively, like starting with just the bar instead of all the weights and slowly adding the pounds on. But for me, I felt like i was pretty fine, and that the headache was completely gone after doing some pushups and, well, the girlfriend. So I went to all my normal weights and had a bangin workout yesterday and today.

Not sure if what i did will be any good for anyone else, but that headache is gone for me, and i feeel goooood. hope anyone else who's having it gets over it quick, because it really ****s with your workouts and progress...

Ajk_Lpool · 02-26-2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aslan

on that break:
no sex for at least a week (nothing manual either). the exertional headache comes up when you're about to climax, so you need to take a break from that along with working out. i only lasted a week without it; the week after my girlfriend and i got back to it, and i wasnt feeling any headaches from then on..

lol I definitely notice this. It's hard but has to be done

Currently have one at the moment, it's a bastard having to rest but it has to be done. **** you 20rep squats for giving this to me.

I suffer quite badly with them, and rest is pretty much the only antidote for this IMO. Concentrate on breathing, build back into your work at the gym slowly, and concentrate hard on breathing. Do NOT attempt any heavy compound movements as they will definitely stress this.

omen6 · 08-29-2008, 10:35 PM

wow old thread but lots of great knowledge in it. I was doing a set of 20 rep squats today and got an exertional headahce...hollyyyy shiiiitttt the worst pain i've felt in a long time. I'm wondering if i should continue my workouts as usualy on monday (todays friday) or take a break. I dont want to break though as i've slacked quite a bit during the summer and am just coming back up again!!!

PS. had to stop in the middle of sex as the pain came back...WTF

sunyatasamsara · 08-30-2008, 12:51 AM

Man I cant imagine cause the ones I get are not that intense but really annoying and in the front of my brain. I usually have to take a nap to cure them. I had one today when I did my first workout which was db bench press. I always got them doing squats so I quit for awhile. I realized the answer was not enough air so the trick was to go very slowly and get plenty of air.

giuseppe_p · 09-23-2009, 05:02 AM

i coped one of these exertional headaches 2day n it was hell! thought i had done somethin wrong n fuked up my brain. It was on the legpress doin a centurion set (Erik Fankhouser FTW) n it hit me on my last set. Hopefully itll b gone by 2moz but ima def try to work on my breathing next leg day.